Keeping your outdoor boots clean is essential for maintaining their condition, prolonging their lifespan, and ensuring they continue to protect your feet. The process is straightforward and can be done with minimal tools.
To clean outside boots, you typically start by removing loose dirt, rinsing off debris, cleaning with a suitable product (like a gel), rinsing again, potentially adding waterproofing, and finally allowing them to dry properly.
Simple Steps for Cleaning Your Boots
Based on common practice and the provided reference, here is a simple breakdown of how to clean your outside boots:
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Remove Excess Dirt: The first step is to get rid of all the large chunks of dirt, mud, and debris clinging to your boots.
- Action: Knock off or brush off all chunks of dirt. It's best to do this outside or into a garbage bin to avoid making a mess indoors. A stiff brush or even tapping the boots together can work wonders.
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Rinse Away Debris: Once the major dirt is gone, use water to clean off the finer particles.
- Action: Rinse your boots clear of any debris with water. This washes away smaller dirt and prepares the surface for cleaning.
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Clean with a Product (Implicit): While the reference skips directly to rinsing off cleaning gel, this implies a cleaning product was used after rinsing off debris. Applying a dedicated boot cleaning gel or solution helps lift stubborn grime and stains.
- Action: Apply a suitable boot cleaner according to the product instructions (often involves scrubbing gently).
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Rinse Off Cleaner: After cleaning, it's crucial to remove all traces of the cleaning product.
- Action: Rinse Cleaning Gel off boots. Ensure no residue remains, as this can affect the boot material or future treatments.
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Apply Waterproofing (Optional but Recommended): To protect your boots from moisture and maintain their performance, consider adding a waterproofing treatment.
- Action: Add some waterproofing if you fancy (why not?!). This is especially important for leather or fabric boots used in wet conditions.
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Allow to Dry: Proper drying is key to preventing mold, mildew, and damage to the boot materials.
- Action: Let dry and Ta DA! Allow your boots to air dry naturally in a cool, well-ventilated area away from direct heat sources (like radiators or direct sunlight), which can cause cracking or shrinking.
Key Considerations
- Cleaning Products: Use products specifically designed for your boot material (leather, suede, synthetic, etc.).
- Drying: Never force dry boots with heat. Patience is important for natural drying. Stuffing boots with newspaper can help absorb moisture and maintain their shape.
- Regular Cleaning: Cleaning your boots regularly prevents dirt and grime from building up and causing long-term damage.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean your outside boots and keep them in top condition for your next adventure.
